For most Petitioners, completing publication is the hard part. Once a Petitioner
returns the citation and clipping(s), usually all they must do is wait
for the “return date” on the citation to expire. The purpose
of the return date is simply to provide the public the opportunity to
object to the name change after publication has been completed. If, after
public notice is proven, the return date has expired, and no one objects
to the change of name (and assuming the application and publication were
proper), then the Court issues a Decree (Judgment) establishing the new
name, administratively. There is no need for a hearing.

Once a person legally changes their name, however, often the
real work begins, as individuals must submit documentation to everyone from the RMV to
the Social Security Administration:

Although the multi-step process may seem arduous, and certainly involves
legal issues and paperwork, the real legwork comes after the Decree of
Name Change is allowed and issued by the Court.

Massachusetts Updates Rules on Name Change Petitions

The Probate and Family Court
recently announced modifications to the procedures required to change the name of an adult
or minor child (or children) in Massachusetts.
Practice XXXV of the Uniform Practices, “Change of Name Actions,” took effect on August 1. It replaced
the previous, somewhat confusing change-of-name forms with substantially
revised, reformatted and renumbered forms. According to the Court, the
“overall purpose of the Practice is to clarify procedural omissions
in the controlling statute,
G.L. c. 210, § 12et seq.”

The Practice, among other things, provides separate forms for changing
the name of an adult versus changing the name of a minor child, and makes
clear the notice requirements in change of name actions for both adults
and minors, including the statutory requirement to provide notice to the
public by publication in all cases.

The new forms, which are required for use beginning July 20, 2018, can
be accessed
here. Previous versions of the forms are no longer accepted for filing.

Changes Do Not Affect Names Changes in Divorce Cases

If you are getting
divorced, you can still resume your former name by requesting the name change be
incorporated into the Judgment of Divorce, without having to file a separate
petition. However, if you do not request to be allowed to resume your
former name as part of your divorce – or you wish to change your
name to a new name post-divorce – you must follow the procedures
outlined in the new
Practice XXXV.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only.
Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual
case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt
or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.